What to Celebrate November 2 thru 8, 2020
Celebration Ideas for November 2 – 8, 2020
Welcome to November! (Well, almost November if you’re reading this the day we post it). Here’s hoping it’s a good month.
Of course, any month—or day for that matter—is what you make of it. So let’s find joy wherever we can in each and every day.
We’re pretty sure senior pets, candy, and cash back can help with that. Along with nachos, donuts, and merlot.
So do take a peek and plan your week. And as always, remember to …
Enjoy!
Celebrate All November Long
In trying to stay safe from COVID we’ve moved backwards in our attempts to eliminate single-use plastics from our lives. But we can still pledge to avoid plastic straws!
We might also consider enriching our lives with senior pets. And learning about manatees. Learning about pet cancer isn’t nearly so pleasant, but it could help save our pets (senior or otherwise) some day.
No Straw November: It’s easier than ever to avoid single-use straws. You can get reusable straws in metal, silicone, bamboo & others. They’re available straight or pre-bent. And they come with a little cleaning brush! If you still prefer single-use, paper straws have come a long way & no longer wilt the second you put them in liquid. So there’s really no excuse to be throwing away all those single-use plastic straws.
Adopt a Senior Pet Month: Didn’t make it to the shelter for Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? Or maybe you’re more of a cat person? Or some other pet? Well, you get another chance, because November is all about getting senior pets out of shelters! Senior pets are amazing and deserve to live out their lives in a loving home. Could a senior pet be just what your home’s been missing?
Pet Cancer Awareness Month: Sadly pets of any age can get cancer, just like we can. They can also get many of the same treatments as humans and go on to live healthy lives. This month raises awareness of both the fact of pet cancer and the treatments available. It also raises money to continue research into pet cancers and improving treatments & cure rates.
Manatee Awareness Month: How much do you know about these weird looking but thoroughly fascinating “sea cows”? Did you know that they’re smart? And related to elephants? They are these things and more. They’re also, like too many other animals, endangered and need more awareness to help them survive.
Weekly Celebrations for November’s 1st Week
Ah, stress. It’s always been there, but it seems to be everywhere these days. We can learn to manage it. Appreciating the good work shelters do might help. Figs too (temporarily to be sure, but some days a little break is all you really need).
Stress Awareness Week (November 2 – 6, 2020): Surely there’s not a single person who’s unaware of stress this year? But maybe you’re not so aware of what to do about it. The week’s founder, ISMA, is holding on online summit for the week, so you might like to see if any sessions would be helpful for you. But even if you don’t want to do that, take some time this week to learn about stress and how to lower your stress levels.
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (November 1 – 7, 2020): Animal shelters in the US have come a long way in the 24 years since this week began. Many have become no-kill & many more are working toward that goal. They’re not simply warehousing animals. They’re collaborating with communities to help any animal in need and placing animals in foster homes to help save as many as possible. If you’re not already familiar with your local shelter(s), why not use this week to learn more and find out how you can help? Because the best way to appreciate shelters is to help them with their life-saving mission.
National Fig Week (November 1 – 7, 2020): If you’re most familiar with figs as the filling in Fig Newtons, you may be missing out. Sure, they’re wonderful in that little cookie, but there’s so much more to figs. Spend this week exploring other fig recipes that help these little fruits shine. Or just roast ’em in the oven and enjoy a healthy treat.
Celebration Days coming up for Nov. 2 thru Nov. 8
With Daylight Savings time over our evenings are darker, but our moods sure don’t need to be! There’s plenty of delicious food & drink days, along with some silly & some serious celebrations to make another fun-tastic week.
So what are you waiting for? Get celebrating!
November 2:
Fill Our Staplers Day: The folks at the Dull Men’s Club get super annoyed when their staplers are empty for their super-important stapling jobs. So they decided that 2x per year we should make sure those staplers are full! To make it easy to remember, we do this the day after Daylight Savings begins and again the day after it ends. This year Daylight Savings ends on November 1, so on the 2nd we fill those staplers! Do it, you’ll be happy you did the next time you need to staple something.
Color the World Orange Day: This day raises awareness of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflex sympathetic dystorphy (RSD). People with this condition experience severe pain that is worse than it should be based on the original injury.
Job Action Day: On this day we explore our career opportunities. It doesn’t matter if you’re employed or not. We can all benefit from taking a look at where we are and where we want to go. And even if you’re happy where you are, it’s always a good idea to know what the current job market looks like, because the unexpected can and does happen (this year taught us that if nothing else!). Be prepared!
National Deviled Egg Day: Make and devour your favorite deviled eggs! Don’t have a favorite? Here’s a deviled egg recipe with lots of tips and variation ideas for you to try.
November 3:
National Housewife’s Day: This day celebrates those people who work at home, taking care of the house & children. At one time housewives were common, as one income was enough to provide a good life for a family. These days that’s harder, and many people view “housewives” negatively. But those women and men (househusbands!) who can stay home and choose to do so know just how much work it can be. These people deserve a day of recognition!
Cliché Day: Use cliches wherever & whenever possible all day. Tom & Ruth Roy created the day because “Hey, why not? Give it a shot! … You’ll never know, ’til you try it.” 😄
National Sandwich Day: Make it a sandwich kind of day. These handy creations can be hot or cold, big or small, meat-based or all veggie. The possibilities are nearly endless, so there’s no reason you can’t have a sandwich for all 3 meals. Simple and delicious!
November 4:
Use Your Common Sense Day: Do you have common sense? We sure hope so! We also hope you use it more than once a year.
International Stress Awareness Day: On the Wednesday of International Stress Awareness Week comes Stress Awareness Day. If you’ve already been celebrating, keep it up! If not, at least use this day to learn more about stress and how to manage yours. We could all use some stress management this year!
National Easy-Bake Oven Day: Did you have an Easy-Bake oven as a kid? Do your kids have one now? This is the day to get nostalgic. And bake something in this toy oven if you have one. And if you don’t have one, why not get one? You’re not too old, really! 🙃
National Candy Day: What a sweet, stress-free day! Not only do you get to bake a sweet treat in a fun toy oven, you also get to enjoy your favorite candies, completely guilt-free. Better stock up on candies now!
November 5:
National Cash Back Day: It’s really Cash Back Days, because this year it’s 48 hours of limited-time cash back offers! Ok, yes cash back offers is what RetailMeNot does all year. But these special offers are live for just a few hours each during Nov. 5 and 6.
Stout Day: Drink stout. Share with friends if you can (safely). Could there be a more perfect day?
National Men Make Dinner Day: Well actually, if you live with a man who rarely (never) does the cooking, this celebration could make your day even more perfect. You get to drink stout while he does the cooking! No take-out, re-heating, or grilling allowed. Real cooking only! And if you’re the man who rarely (never) cooks, start planning how you’re going to get through this …
November 6:
National Nachos Day: Eat nachos all day! Yes, you can. Try breakfast nachos to fuel your morning. Then a nacho salad for lunch. And loaded nachos for dinner! And there you have it: Nachos all day. You’re welcome.
Fountain Pen Day: If you’re like most people then most of your communications are digital these days. And if they are paper they were printed from a digital document. Which makes actual hand-written letters & notes that much more special. And on this day we must get out a fountain pen and write something. What do you mean you don’t have a fountain pen? Treat yourself to a fountain pen in honor of the day.
National Love Your Red Hair Day: If you’re a redhead, do as the day’s name says. And if you’re not a redhead but you know redheads, love their red hair. Because to do less is to incur their wrath, and you know you don’t want that! 😉
National Saxophone Day: Celebrate the birth of the man who invented the saxophone, Adolphe Sax. He was born on this day in 1814 and received a patent on his instrument on June 28, 1846. Listen to some saxophone masters to celebrate. Maybe Kenny G., Stan Getz, and John Coltrane? And if you play, well … play!
National Doughnut Day: Eat donuts. Or doughnuts. ‘Nuff said.
November 7:
World Numbat Day: Sooo … we’re sad that we’ve never heard of numbats! But glad that we heard of them before they become extinct. And sad that they could become extinct. If you, like us, have never before heard of Western Australia’s cute, endangered little marsupial, learn more about it for the day. And help spread the word that it exists and needs our help. Check out the Numbat Project’s Facebook page too.
National Bison Day: Honor the US’s national mammal, which is also the continent’s largest land mammal. Males can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds! If you can visit a national park with bison, do it. At least learn more about this magnificent animal.
National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day: Like humans, our pets can get cancer. But getting good information on treatment options can be hard. After dog trainer Terry Simons’ dog went through lymphoma he was inspired to create not just this day, but a whole foundation dedicated to understanding this disease (and other cancers too).
International Merlot Day: Merlot is a delightful and versatile wine you’ll want to enjoy on more than one day a year. If you haven’t already fallen in love with this dry red wine, give it another try. And if you do already love it, well here’s your excuse to drink it (not that you really need one). According to Wine Industry Advisor, it pairs equally well with chicken chilaquils, butternut squash soup, and even take-out pizza. You’re welcome.
National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day []: Chocolate and almonds together in one delightfully delicious day? Yes, please! Enjoy the combo in bars, cakes, cookies, or however you like. There’s no wrong way to eat them! We’re pretty sure bittersweet chocolate & almonds pair beautifully with merlot …
November 8:
National Parents as Teachers Day: This day began in 2001, promoting the idea of parents and educators working as a team to help children reach their educational goals. But the day may feel different this year, as many parents have been more hands-on in the teaching department during remote learning. Which isn’t a bad thing, as the Parents as Teachers organization works to support parents as their childrens’ first, best teacher.
National STEM/STEAM Day: Are your kids interested in science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math? Encourage that interest and help inspire them to pursue education and career options in these fields. STEAM careers are only going to grow in importance, so having enough young people interested is critical!
National Cappuccino Day: Start your morning right with a hot, frothy cappuccino. And do take the time to sit and savor it. Cappuccinos are not meant for gulping!
National Harvey Wallbanger Day: When your day is done, toast the end of another weekend and your hope for a fun-tastic and productive week ahead. Make that toast with the drink of the day: a Harvey Wallbanger! Do drink & toast responsibly … a hangover isn’t the right start to the week. And don’t drink & drive.
Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day: Tom & Ruth Roy of Wellcat invite us to make our homes smell heavenly with some bold cooking. Like sauerkraut and garlic.
